Swimming device



March 20,1928. 1,663,328

F. ARNOLD SWIMMING DEVICE Filed March 23. 1927 Patented Mar. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES FELIX ARNOLD, or SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Application filed March 23, 1927. Serial No. 177,543.

This invention relates to swimmers? paddles, and it is an object of this invention to provide a device which will enable a swimmer to propel himself in the water with com- 6 paratively great rapidity.

, ple in its construction, eflicient in its operation and which can be manufactured at a very nominal cost, and which is well adapted to perform the services required of it.

In manufacturing the combination device while the various elements thereof may be constructed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, yet it is preferable to form the same from sheet-metal stampings on account of the cheapness, lightness and strength of the latter; but irrespective of these details in manufacturing, the essential features of the invention are always preserved.

The essential features of the invention involved in the carrying out of the objects indicated are susceptible to modification, but a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved swimmers paddle showing a preferred form of the same in the position that it normally assumes when the swimmer is making his return stroke.

Figure 2 is a similar perspective view of a swimmers paddle showing the same in the position it occupies when the swimmer is making his advanced stroke,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device when assuming this latter position.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the showing in Figure 3.

1 Figure 5 is a sectional view of a slightly modified form of the device taken in one position.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the same device taken in another position that it may assume.

With these and many other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel constructiozncombination and arrangement of parts, which will hereinafter be more fully described, illustrated, and claimed. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference charactersdesignate similar parts throughout, a form of the novel swimmers paddle is represented as an entiretyat 1, and comprises a, back 2 having suitable straps 3 fastened thereto by means of rivets, screws or the like 1. This back may be formed in any suitable manner and of any suitable material, but it is preferable to form the same of wood on account of the lightness of the same. The back is slightly tapered to provide a narrow end 5 and a side end 6, to accommodate the shape of the human hand. Fastened to the under side of this back is a channel piece 7 having lateral flanges 8 and 9 diverging slight- 1y, This channel piece 7 base width slightly less than the width of the back 2, but is also tapered. A pair of angle pieces 10 and 11 are bolted or riveted or otherwise fastened to the channel piece 7 by suitable means 12. and have one side of the same extending flush with the under face of the back 2. Suitable hinges 13 and. 141 are secured to the inner face of one flange of the angle pieces 10 and 11. and to these hinges are secured a pair of paddles 14: and 15, which paddles are preferably rectangular in shape and have rounded ed cs 16.

The few parts above described, constitute in essence one particular form of my invention. In actual operation, pair of these paddles are inserted upon the hands of the swimmer, and as he makes his progressive stroke in the water. the paddles 14: and 15 fly outwardly to offer greater resistance to the water, and their outward movement is limited bythe shoulders provided by the angle flanges 17 and 18 on the angle pieces 10 and llrespectively. Upon making his return stroke the paddles are collapsed, and the straps of the hinge abut and prevent the paddles from collapsing further, and thus cause injury to the arms of the swimmer. The rounded edges 16 further prevent injury to the arms of the user as is apparent.

In the modified form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the arrangement of parts is similar, and in these figures the same characters of reference with their respective suffixes, designate similar parts throughout. The angle pieces--10 and'll and the channel piece 7 have been formed of an integral sheet of metal stamped to provide the -diver-ging,-.up standing, reverse flanges 8 and 9, and the device operates in the same ethcientimannerfi as the device shown in Figures 5 and 6.

I do not desire to limit myself to the eX- act arrangement of parts, for various modifications'are anticipated under the'terms of the appended claims.

It will be understood that various changes in the detail of constructionmay be'made without departing from thespirit'or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A swimming paddle comprising in com'- binationa back adapted to be attached to a limb of the user, said back being wedge shaped, a channelpiece attached to said back, said channel piece being narrower than said back, angle pieces disposed against said channel pieces and' against said back, and a pair ofpaddles pivoted within said angle pieces for swinging movement.

2. A swimming paddle comprising in combination a back which is attachable to the hand of the user,"a U-shaped channel piece secured to said back centrally th'ereot, said channel piece being narrower in Width than said back, angle pieces disposechagainst said channel piece and against said back, strap hinges passing within said'chann'el pieces, and paddles secured to said strap hinges, whereby the sides of said channel pieces will limit the forward and rearward movement of said paddles.

3. A swimming paddle comprising in combinatioir a back substantially tapezoidal in shape, a U shaped, trapezoidal channel piece secured to said back centrally thereof, acute angle-pieces having one side disposed against said channel piece and the other side against said back, strap hinges fastened to said channel pieces, and substantially rectangular paddles secured to said strap hinges for pivotal motion within said angle pieces, to be limitedin their forward and rearward movemeint, and to assume a diverging position when in their rearward position as and for the purpose specified.

4. A swimming paddle comprising a back adapted to be-attached to a limb of the user, a channel-shaped piece securedlo said back centrally thereof, said 'channel shapcd piece being narrower than the width of the back strap hinges connected to the outstanding portionsol' the channel-shaped piece, and paddles secured to said strap hinges whereby the paddles may assume positions in planes approximately perpendi culanto the back or parallel thereto and have their movements limited between these positions."

5; A swimming paddle comprising a back adapted to be attached to a limb of the user, angle'pieces secured to the back adjacent its sideedges', strap hingessecured to said angle pieces and paddles secured to said strap hinges, said paddles being adapted to assume positions in "planes' approximately perpendicular to the back or parallel thereto and having their movements limited between these positions;

In testimony whereof'I' have signed iny name to thisspecification;

FELIX ARNOLD; 

